Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores has kicked off its annual fundraising program, which includes in-store donations, events and employee volunteering.
Shoppers are invited to donate to the cause Sept. 9-16. Customers who make a donation (no store purchase necessary) will have their name put up on the store’s wall for the week.
The company will also raise funds by hosting a golf tournament for associates, suppliers and vendor business partners on Sept. 12. All funds raised through customer donations, along with the proceeds from the golf tournament, will go directly to local Feeding America partner food banks in communities where Smart Foodservice Warehouse stores are located.
“Over the past seven years, not only have we been able to raise money, but more importantly, we are increasing awareness of the critical need to support our neighbors and the members of our communities,” says John Mathews, VP, sales and marketing, Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores. “The growth of Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores has allowed us to increase our efforts every year, and our goal across the next few years is to reach $2 million cumulatively.”
Since its first annual fundraising campaign in 2012, Smart Foodservice Warehouse Stores has raised more than $1 million for food banks. In 2018 alone, the company donated more than 920,000 pounds of food to those in need by supporting local food banks in the Feeding America network throughout the Western U.S.
“We are grateful to Smart Foodservice for their tremendous support and generosity,” says Susannah Morgan, CEO, Oregon Food Bank. “From direct giving and employee volunteer shifts to food drives and food donations—they help in the fight against hunger at every level.”
Additionally, on Oct. 4, store managers from the 64 Smart Foodservice locations and office personnel from the Portland, Oregon, headquarters will spend the day at the Oregon Food Bank, repackaging food, as well as getting an update and a better understanding of hunger relief efforts in Oregon and nationally.
“As a company, we are committed to helping with hunger relief in all our communities,” says Derek Jones, president, Smart Foodservice. “Hunger is a problem throughout the U.S., and all of us at Smart Foodservice are committed to helping meet the growing need for assistance.”
